Michael Tanner: Despite Flaws, We’re No. 1

When Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi needed heart surgery, he didn’t go to an Italian hospital. He didn’t go to Austria or the Netherlands. He had his surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. Similarly, when Canadian Human Resources Minister Belinda Stronach needed treatment for breast cancer, she had it done at a California hospital. And, when then-Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams needed to have a leaky heart valve repaired, he had it done at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Florida.

When Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi needed heart surgery, he didn’t go to an Italian hospital. He didn’t go to Austria or the Netherlands. He had his surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. Similarly, when Canadian Human Resources Minister Belinda Stronach needed treatment for breast cancer, she had it done at a California hospital. And, when then-Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams needed to have a leaky heart valve repaired, he had it done at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Florida.

These high-profile patients were following in the footsteps of tens of thousands of patients from around the world who come to the United States for treatment every year.

They come here because they know that despite its flaws, the U.S. health care system still provides the highest quality care in the world.

More from Michael Tanner in USA Today.